ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Carolyn Dydzulis, left, and Carol Guliano at a check out register at Hannaford in Saugus with one of the Hannaford Helps reusable bags to help benefit the Angel Fund.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The Route 1 Hannaford supermarket is selling kindness and goodwill along with groceries this month.
Through the end of July, $1 will be donated to the Angel Fund for every Hannaford Helps reusable bag purchased at the store. The nonprofit Angel Fund supports research into ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The Hannaford Helps program started six months ago to benefit local charities and organizations, said Robert D’Amico, store manager.
D’Amico said the Hannaford Helps program works because it helps people get involved with local causes.
Throughout July, the program will benefit the Wakefield-based ALS research organization. Ninety percent of all funds raised for the Angel Fund go to the Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.
Ann Hadley, chief development officer, said Dr. Robert H. Brown Jr., an ALS researcher, is working to find a cure for the disease, which gradually deteriorates muscle and nerve connections.
“This store is always generous to us when we have our walk,” Hadley said. “ALS research is very underfunded. We need funding to find a cure. We think it’s there, the funding has to help us find it. Every single dollar helps.”
Peggy Soper, a Wakefield resident, said she uses large reusable shopping bags because it’s better for the environment. But adding the element of helping someone else makes it an even better option, she said.
“I like to give back, particularly with an agency that needs money,” Soper said.
Grace Gallagher, a Saugus resident, said she sometimes uses reusable bags, but doesn’t always remember to bring them to the store. She sees the benefit in helping the environment, but also has a friend who has ALS.
“It’s a very good cause,” Gallagher said. “I’m glad to see they’re staying local.”
Each bag costs $2.29. The Angel Fund has set a goal to sell 1,000 reusable bags throughout the month, which would raise $1,000 for the organization.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
